Chapter 11

New Year's Eve

Mai had invited Nashi to the SPR Christmas party but she could come. She already had plans with Kori and Michu's family. So she didn't see them until it was New Year's Eve, and they had this New Year's get together. Everyone knew by now that Naru and Mai were dating and everyone was so happy. Well, all except Masako. And Naru still acted like his usual self, but what did you expect?

Mai had Yasu give her Nashi's number, how he had gotten it and not her was beyond her. So she called her and asked her about New Year's Eve party, and she said that she could come to that and she had a small little gift for everyone.

New Year's Eve

Mai, Ayako, Monk and Madoka spent all day decorating the office with New Year's stuff. Mai of course, the occasional call of Naru.

"Mai, tea."

It was only 2 in the afternoon and he had asked for tea at least 5 times.

"Mai, tea."

Make that his 6th.

"Coming Naru!" She shouted back with an annoyed, almost mad look on her face.

'How can I help with decorating when he is crying for tea every 30 minutes to a half hour?!'

As Mai was walking to Naru's office with the tea, Yasu and John walked in.

"Where's the party Mai?" Yasu joked, laughing some until he saw her face.

"Oh. Well…we'll just go help Ayako and Monk."

And the duo quickly went to them as Mai entered his office.

Mai sat the cup down a bit hard, causing Naru to look up from his book with an eyebrow raised in confusion.

"Mai, what is wrong? You could have broken the cup."

Mai was even more annoyed, borderline mad, at his comment.

"You said we could have a New Year's Eve party in the office, yet you can't let me help everyone decorate for it? It was my idea to have it, not theirs. That's just so absurd Naru. Even for you."

The hurt Mai felt was clearly written all over her face and caused Naru, for once in his life, feel bad. He thought it was just a simple, unnecessary, task. Maybe he was wrong again.

Naru sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Fine. Go help them for a bit."

Mai's smile said it all as she said thank you and bounced off. The cheers and happy voices he heard knew he was doing the best thing.

Even if he would be a bit tea deprived for a bit on this cold day.

9 P.M. that night

"Everything looks great Mai! You did a really good job."

Everyone loved how Mai had everyone decorate the room, even Naru and Lin showed some degree of approval. Now only 2 people were missing, Madoka and Nashi. Madoka should be there any minute, but Nashi had texted Mai and Yasu that she had a last minute errand she had to do before to before coming over. Ayako was cooking so food for everyone when Madoka walked in and started helping.

A half hour later the food was ready and everyone started eating. Monk noticed that Yasu had a large plate but wasn't eating anything so he thought he would have fun with Yasu.

"Large appetite when you got the food Yasu? Btu now you don't want to eat? Don't waste it because the ladies worked hard cook it."

"No. I know how you eat and I wanted to make sure there was some left for Nashi when she got here. I also didn't want her to feel bad for being the only one here eating."

Monk apologized and continued to eat with everyone and Yasu held true to his word, he didn't eat anything.

At 10 p.m., there was a knock on the door so Ayako went to answer it because she was the closest. The door opened to Nashi holding 2 good size bags and bundled up. Her wavy brown hair was pulled back into her signature pony tail with her bangs down, a nice pair of jeans with calf high brown laced boots and a deep purple sweater with a V-neck.

"Nashi!" Mai shouted and everyone came over to great her. Naru gave a nod in her direction and Lin remain silent and not looking at her.

"Sorry I'm late everyone but I have a good reason," she said as she finished hugging everyone minus Lin, Naru and Yasu. She raised the 2 bags up and said, "I have late Christmas gifts!"

"Nashi you didn't have to. Don't worry about us and save your money," Ayako said.

"Eh, it's no problem. I do come of from a wealthy family but I don't show it. I don't mind using it for gives for firmed or people I care for."

Naru looked at her finally and realized she did have a good heart. Much like Mai.

Nashi started to hand out presents to everyone. Even Naru and Lin got one though Yasu didn't. She didn't give him his yet cause she hadn't seen him yet and wasn't sure if he was actually there.

'I thought Yasu would be here but I didn't see him greet me. Odd…'

Each person opened up their gifts and each were amazed at the gift. It was perfect for each person and personal for that person.

Monk had received a Bone skull mala necklace made from bone in Nepal. John was given a hard case mass kit specialized for exorcisms. A new special camera designed to pick up paranormal phenomena with a wider lens range and much more sensitive to what is picked up. A unique specialized handmade keyboard Bluetooth extended with all functions was for Lin. Some New Shinto paper for special wards for Ayako, and that kind of paper wasn't cheap. Masako, disputes her visibly not caring for Nashi, received a Special elegant lilac kimono. A simple silver locket with an eye made from pure quartz for Mai because of her visions and quartz is supposed to help psychics. Unfortunately nothing for Madoka because she just meet her but she still was given something, a very nice card.

Everyone thanked her, even Naru and Lin did this time. After Monk have her the last thank you hug he spoke up.

"So you just casually forgot the poor boy you saved your life and protected you multiple times in the Hoshikawa Manor? He's been waiting to eat till you came so you wouldn't be lonely. Even got a huge plate of food because he thought we would eat it all."

"You mainly," Ayako whispered to her but everyone heard it.

Nashi was shocked. He was here!

"Yasu?" she asked as she looked around, finally finding said person by the couches.

He gave her a sheepish smile as he raised a hand in a wave.

"Hey. I'm here."

All but Nashi was shocked but didn't show it. He was acing weird ever since the Christmas ball. And most of that was directed at Nashi or the mention of her name.

"I do have food if you would like some. I know it's late but…"

Nashi gave him a smile. She was hungry even if it was now 10:30.

"Sure," and she walked over to him and sat down and everyone continued to socialize. Mai came over after a while and sat with Nashi and Yasu and they had a blast.

Everyone had fun for the next hour and twenty minutes. They played various games, most of which Ayako, Naru and Nashi won at like it was their day job. And they talked a lot. Monk tried to get a round of karaoke and he was almost thrown out by…everyone? Monk hid in the kitchen for 30 minutes.

When it finally reached 10 minutes till midnight, Mai suggested going ahead and go outside to get a better view and to see the fireworks. Everyone was getting coats on and started to head outside but Nashi didn't move from her spot by the window. Yasu took notice as he was half way into putting his jacket on.

"Nashi?"

She looked up and saw Yasu staring at her with a confused and concerned look on his face. He walked over to her after he took off his jacket and hung it back up.

"Everything alright?"

"Could… could you star here for a moment before we go outside?"

"Of course," he said as he walked over to her left side, both now leaning against the window, Nashi near the where the wall and window meet and Yasu leaning against the window.

"Nashi! Yasu! You coming?" Mai shouted when she realized both people were still by the window.

"We'll be out it a few minutes Mai. Before the fireworks, ok?"

"Alright but don't you guys forget."

The duo laughed because they knew it was true. Mai would be back up probably a minute or 2 before the fireworks at midnight.

Yasu finally turned his attention back to Nashi, hoping for some answers.

"Ok, so what is going on? Aren't you having fun? Do you just not want to go outside with everyone? Are you too tired to go on? You…"

"Yasu. Stop. I'll tell you what is going on after I'm done playing 20 questions with you. Yes I am having lots of fun. In case you didn't notice, I don't go out much or have fun often. And I would love to go outside with everyone to see the fireworks. And the Christmas ball went till 1 A.M. almost 2 in the morning. I'm not tired."

Now Yasu was even more worried, as his face showed it.

"Then what?" He asked softly.

Nashi pulled out a somewhat small box and held it in her hands, eyes locked on the box as she spoke, keeping the same soft tone Yasu had.

"I wanted to give this to you earlier but I just said I didn't see you but… I saw you. You were the first person I looked for when I arrived. I just didn't want everyone to see it just yet. I'm not sure you're going to like my gift."

Hands reached over and gripped her hands holding the box, causing to look up to see the soft kind smile he wore on his face. She released the gift when he started to pull it away from her till he had it in his hands as he made eye contact with her.

"Let me decide if I like it Nashi. With the gifts you gave everyone else, it should be perfect for me."

Yasu carefully ripple the floral green Christmas paper and blue bow to see a dark blue, possibly black since it was hard to tell the color in the dim lighting. He tried to lift open the lid but it wouldn't come up.

Nashi chuckled some before saying, "It opens back not up."

"Oh."

Yasu opened the case the correct was and he was stunned st what he saw what Nashi got him. It was a special silver and gold watch, a nice expensive one not a cheap one.

"Nashi…"

"Look at the back Yasu."

He took the watch out and sat the box down onto the ground before flipping the watch over as she said to reveal his name engraved in the back.

"Why Nashi? This clearly wasn't cheap. None of the stuff you got tonight was cheap. How?"

"My family is, well was, well off so I have money but I only like to use it for people I care for and love. Hence all of the presents here tonight. Especially yours."

"But why did you get me a watch? I didn't need one."

"Yasu it doesn't take a genius to notice that you had yours broken while we're in my case helping me. Before the rooms collapsed on Mai and I you wore your watch constantly. But after you help save me, I saw you not wearing it and the time you did, it had a bad crack in the glass and wasn't running. So I got you something I knew you needed. Do you like it?"

Yasu just stared at the watch for a moment longer before looking at her.

"I love… you, no it. No I mean… uh I love that you got it I love it so much. Thank you. And guess what?" He asked as he put the watch on, both adorning a dark blush on their faces.

"Hmm?"

She didn't trust her voice.

"I got you a gift!" He exclaimed as he reached into his sweater pocket and pulled out a smaller box.

She gave him a confused look, but still started to unwrap it. When she lifted the lid to the box, she couldn't help but gasp at what it was.

Inside was a beautiful rose gold charm bracket with fortune teller charms like the eye of Rah, what she could only presume was real amethyst and pink quartz, ghost, and other paranormal and psychic things for fortune telling. She picked it up by the biggest charm and felt something on the back and turned it over. On the back in a nice cursive was he name "Nashi".

"Yasu…. You didn't have…why?"

Yasu shifted, feeling a bit uncomfortable for some reason.

"Well…I thought you deserved something special. Since you had your house burned down. And I…"

Yasu finally raised his head up to look at her. This was it.

"And I wanted to tell you something too. Something important if you wouldn't mind hearing me out."

"Yes! Naru its only 5 minutes till midnight! I'm so excited!"

She looked around and noticed that 2 people were still missing.

"Nashi and Yasu… Hey Naru? Have you seen Nashi our Yasu come out yet?"

"No."

Mai looked around one more time to see if she missed them, but they weren't out there.

"I'm going to go in and check on them," Mai said as she dashed off around the corner and up the stairs. As she opened the door she heard Nashi and Yasu talking.

"Of course I'll hear you out. You know I will listen to you. What is going on Yasu?"

Mai decided it was time to take her leave and go back outside.

Naru just looked at Mai as she approached him again.

"Well?"

"They busy talking so I thought I would leave them be. They still have 4 minutes."

"Yasu?"

He didn't look at her but finally brought himself to look at her. It was now or never.

"Nashi, when we first took your case you were so nice to us and I was shocked because most are but you were different. And then, I don't know why, when the stove blew up on you, I felt protective. I didn't want to let you get hurt anymore and yet it happened over and over. The last time almost killed you and Naru. But all I was worried about was if you were ok. And then we were idiots and tried to find Nashi Hoshikawa and not Nashi Kishiharaki…I thought that meant you had died and I…"

Nashi looked at Yasu, many thoughts going through her head as he finally looked at her.

3 Minutes

"I felt something change inside, like I couldn't stand the thought of losing you. And then you were back at the office saying you were ok and alive and I was so happy. My heart was…beating so fast and soaring with happiness that you were just fine and going to be fine. Then at the Christmas ball…seeing you in that dress, you looked amazing. But then you put on that other dress and you just looked so… so perfect. And before you say it I know you aren't and that's what…"

Yasu stopped himself for a moment because he was afraid to say it. He never had said it before and he defiantly felt it towards her.

A hand on his arm brought him back to reality. He saw Nashi had moved closer to him. And Nashi's worried face and he hated himself. He hated that he made her worry about him.

"Yasu are you alright? You looked very troubled. And when you spaced out it scared me for a minute."

"Yes…No. I don't know Nashi…"

"What…? Then maybe if you said what you wanted to say…maybe it would help?"

'Come on Yasu. Now or never!'

"That's what...makes me love you. Nashi, I love you. It happened so quick I wasn't sure when it all come to my mind that was the word for it but I defiantly started to feel it when we were helping on the case. Defiantly when the rooms collapsed with you and Mai in it. I thought you were dead then."

2 Minutes

Nashi was shocked. Her face showed it and then it changed to something Yasu wasn't expecting. Sadness and regret.

"Yasu… I… I can't. Everyone I seem to love or loves me always gets hurt or worse. I couldn't do it if anything happened to you. Michu and Kori are way to stubborn to listen and think I'm worrying for nothing. But I… the…"

'But he is still out there. If he finds me you will be targeted or worse…'

"I don't care!"

Nashi was shocked.

"Ive been targeted by ghost and nearly killed about half a year ago due to a hex put on my school. And it won't be the last time I'm attached if I'm with you. I just want to be with you. I feel a connection between us…I just hope I have the right connection."

Yasu brought Nashi's face up, so her eyes were meeting his. Faces mere inches apart. He saw her eyes glistening with instead tears, the fear and love mixing in her eyes.

"Don't be afraid Nashi," he said as he moved both hands to the side of her face, cupping her face with his hands, "just say what you feel. What you want. I won't be mad."

Nashi stared at Yasu, not sure what to say. She knew what she felt, but she knew the dangers too.

"Yasu, I know what I want to say, but…"

"Just say it…don't be afraid. I'm here and like I did at the Hoshikawa Manor, I'll keep you safe," he whispered.

1 Minute

"Yasu… I love you too. I want to be with you. I'm so afraid you'll get hurt or be in danger because of me again but… I want to believe what you said. And I know you do mean it, I can tell."

"Oh only 30 second left. Hey Mai, Yasu and Nashi still haven't come out yet? They are going to miss it all," Ayako said.

"Let me go get them!"

And off she went again thought she carefully opened the door this time and saw they were still in the same spot.

"Nashi, I love you."

Mai's eyes bugged out. What? Did she hear him correctly?

"Yasu I…I love you too."

'No way! They are in love? Are they a couple now?'

Yasu leaned closer to her and whispered, but Mai still heard, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes, of course Yasu."

And then Yasu finally kissed her. A whole 2 months he waited for her.

Mai just closed the door and walked back to the others as 15 seconds was announced.

"Well Mai? Where are they?" Ayako asked.

"They are making fireworks of their own a bit early."

Everyone was shocked. But turned to look at the fireworks.

12 seconds

Mai grabbed Naru's arm and hand as she snuggled into his arm.

11 seconds

Nashi and Yasu finally broke apart as they heard the count down.

"10!"

Yasu smiled his cheesy grin. "We missed the count down."

"9!"

"I can here. The others haven't come to check on us?"

"8!"

"Yes Mai has. Twice." And Nashi's face looked surprised. She never noticed.

"7!"

"And I've never been one for clichés."

"6!"

Nashi smiled and said, "Good," as she took another kiss from him.

"5!"

"4!"

"I see everyone down there waiting."

"3!"

"Mai looks happy at Naru's side."

"2!"

"And even Naru has a slight smile on his face."

"1! HAPPY NEWY YEAR!"

Naru leaned over and gave Mai a quick kiss, Masako was clearly not happy. Ayako surprisingly gave Monk a kiss on the cheek and everyone then enjoyed the fireworks and said, "Happy New Year," to each other.

Yasu pulled Nashi to his chest as they watched the fireworks. Nashi enjoyed hearing Yasu's heart beat as they watched the fireworks and Yasu just enjoyed the warmth of having Nashi finally in his arms as his girlfriend.

"Nashi?"

Nashi looked up at Yasu.

"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year Yasu."

A.N. oh my god I am so sorry on the long wait. I have been doing many paid art projects and im starting a mural at my preschool I work at. Plus im designing shoes for a big company now too or soon to be big. And I need to write this again. I will not forget it. But yay they are finally together. I know you all thought at the end of the last chapter but they weren't! haha! Enjoy.